Twenty examples of strong acids are not readily available from a single definitive source. However, combining information from several sources, we can compile a comprehensive list. Remember that the strength of an acid is determined by its degree of dissociation in water. Strong acids completely dissociate, meaning they break apart into ions almost entirely. The following list includes common and some less common strong acids. Note that the relative strength can vary slightly depending on the conditions.
Common Strong Acids:
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl): Found in stomach acid and used in industrial processes.
- Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄): A highly corrosive acid used extensively in industry. Note that the second proton (H⁺) in sulfuric acid is weakly acidic.
- Nitric acid (HNO₃): Used in fertilizer production and explosives manufacturing.
- Hydrobromic acid (HBr): Similar in strength to hydrochloric acid.
- Hydroiodic acid (HI): Another strong acid, similar in strength to HBr.
- Perchloric acid (HClO₄): Considered one of the strongest acids.
- Chloric acid (HClO₃): A strong acid, though less so than perchloric acid.
Less Common or Context-Dependent Strong Acids:
The following acids are sometimes considered strong, depending on the context (concentration, solvent, etc.):
- Fluorosulfuric acid (HSO₃F): Exceptionally strong, often used as a superacid.
- Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (CF₃SO₃H): Another very strong superacid.
- Hexafluorophosphoric acid (HPF₆): A strong acid commonly used in chemistry.
- Hexafluoroantimonic acid (HSbF₆): A superacid, one of the strongest known.
- Fluorosulfonic acid (HSO₃F): This is a superacid often found alongside trifluoromethanesulfonic acid.
- Hydrogen iodide (HI): In water solution, it forms hydroiodic acid which is a strong acid.
- Hydrogen bromide (HBr): In water solution, it forms hydrobromic acid, a strong acid.
- Hydrogen chloride (HCl): In water solution, it forms hydrochloric acid, a strong acid.
- Chlorosulfonic acid (ClSO₃H): A strong acid used in organic chemistry.
- Methanesulfonic acid (CH₃SO₃H): A strong organic acid.
- p-Toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH): A strong organic acid used in organic synthesis.
- Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA): While not as strong as the mineral acids listed above, it's still considered a strong acid in organic chemistry contexts.
- Sulfamic acid (H₃NSO₃): A moderately strong acid used in various applications.
It is important to note that the strength of an acid is relative and can be influenced by factors like the solvent and the concentration. The acids listed above are generally considered strong acids under typical laboratory conditions.
